MAYOR’S FUND TO ADVANCE NEW YORK CITY
Hurricane
Sandy 6-Month Update
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor Megan Sheekey, President Spring 2013
“The smile on people’s faces
when they get warm food
and coffee is priceless. This is a great thing the city is doing.” NY Food Truck Association daily report | Hot Meal Distribution Program, page 8
“This program saved my life. The work was so good. I am so happy.” D.N. | Midland Beach, Staten Island | Mold Treatment and Awareness Program, page 14
“The attorney played a critical role in guiding the homeowner through what would have otherwise been an overwhelming process,
and was recently successful in getting
$50,000 in insurance funds released to her to use on much-needed repairs.” Christie Peale, Executive Director, Center for New York City Neighborhoods | Red Hook, Brooklyn | Housing Advocacy and RESOURCES Program, page 18
“It was just what we needed when we needed it most.” Gerard McCaffery, President & CEO, MercyFirst | Far Rockaway, queens | Nonprofit Recovery Loan and Grant Program, page 20
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
In our city’s long history, we have never seen a storm like Hurricane Sandy. The spirit of community that powered our recovery, however, was familiar to all of us. New Yorkers always pull together in tough times, whether we are assisting in relief efforts after disasters strike overseas, or facing a crisis here at home. Once again, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City partnered closely with City agencies to lead the way. And our residents, City employees, and friends from across the world gave generously, immediately helping people most affected by Sandy. More than 20,500 donors contributed more than $58 million to the Mayor’s Fund for hurricane relief, support which has aided our recovery on many fronts. Donations helped provide 333,000 hot meals to New Yorkers in the first weeks after the storm. We committed nearly $6 million to mold treatment and training programs that are helping families in impacted neighborhoods. As part of our ongoing rebuilding projects, we have dedicated $10 million toward repairing homes. We also have provided more than $16 million for loans and grants to nonprofits and small businesses – targeted investments that are empowering the local organizations that know our neighborhoods and their post-Sandy needs best. These kinds of community partnerships have been a hallmark of our Administration. Together with the Mayor’s Fund and its dedicated board members, we are setting a new standard for how cities can use private funds to advance innovative public policies – and directing the support of civic-minded New Yorkers to where it is needed most. Thank you.
Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor
Hurricane Sandy 6-Month Update
1
Introduction
Since Hurricane Sandy hit on October 29, 2012, there has been continuous, forward momentum to coordinate and implement relief efforts. Over the last six months, the Mayor’s Fund has sought to create a platform for anyone to join in advancing New York City’s recovery. To that end, we’ve worked closely with our trusted network of City agencies, philanthropic partners, corporations, community groups and local leaders to help connect private funds to relief projects. Thankfully, the call for help was answered tenfold, and we have leveraged our generous contributions to support a series of emergency response initiatives and ongoing recovery and rebuilding projects – all of which are detailed in this report.
“The City and the Storm” by Iwan Baan. Poster available from the MoMA store with proceeds benefitting Mayor’s Fund relief efforts. Iwan Baan The City and the Storm, 2012 Digital C-Print 72 x 48 inches Edition of 10 + 2 APs
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, the Mayor’s Fund began purchasing and delivering over $3 million worth of critical supplies and services, and continued to do so through the end of 2012. In 2013, as we phased out immediate aid and increased focus on long-term revitalization, the Mayor’s Fund teamed up with partners to allocate more than $48 million in sponsorship of a number of large-scale initiatives serving communities impacted by the storm. We are grateful for the progress that has been made, and committed to the ongoing needs ahead. I encourage you to read more about this tremendous effort – and the many entities that made it possible – in the forthcoming pages, and would like to thank all of our partners for their tireless work to rebuild our city. Megan Sheekey President, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
Image courtesy of the artist and Perry Rubenstein Gallery, Los Angeles. © Iwan Baan / Getty Images
2
Hurricane Sandy 6-Month Update
Donations
$58,518,025 Total allocated
$52,372,446 Figures as of April 30, 2013
Phase 1: Emergency Response Projects $3,491,872 Hot Meals $1,607,402 Relief Supplies and Distribution $1,506,933 Debris Removal $178,557 Evacuee and Volunteer Transportation $124,064 Daily Living Needs $74,916 Phase 2: Recovery & Rebuilding Projects $48,880,575 Nonprofit and Community Recovery $12,903,652 Home Repairs and Rebuilding $10,750,000 Small Business Assistance $6,285,000 Mold Treatment and Awareness $5,564,665 Parks and Waterfront Restoration $5,050,000 Public School Student Support $2,065,000 Housing Advocacy and Resources $2,200,000 Emergency Food Provider Support $1,808,250 Service Projects $1,390,008 Immigrant Community Outreach and Services $734,000 Childcare Center Repairs $130,000
“In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City has been an invaluable resource in meeting the needs of those hardest hit by the storm. By providing items and services like hot meals, cleaning supplies, and debris removal, the Mayor’s Fund has played a vital role in helping New Yorkers endure one of the most challenging times in our City’s history. As we continue on the road to recovery, the Fund remains critical to our efforts to rebuild and come back stronger than ever.” PATRICIA E. HARRIS, FIRST DEPUTY MAYOR, MAYOR’S FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR
Hurricane Sandy 6-Month Update
3
Table of Contents
Message from the Mayor
1
INTRODUCTION 2 Emergency Response Projects
5
Relief Supplies and Distribution
6
Hot Meals 8 Debris Removal 10 Evacuee and Volunteer Transportation Daily Living Needs
11 11
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
13
Mold Treatment and Awareness
14
Home Repairs and Rebuilding
17
Housing Advocacy and Resources
18
Nonprofit and Community Recovery Immigrant Community Outreach and Services Emergency Food Provider Support
20
27 28
Small Business Assistance 30 Service Projects 32 Public School Student Support
34
Childcare Center Repairs 36 Parks and Waterfront Restoration
4
Hurricane Sandy 6-Month Update
37
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS As part of the City’s emergency relief and recovery operations, the Mayor’s Fund received and addressed specific needs in real-time with the help of those working in impacted areas. For two months after the storm hit, the Mayor’s Fund worked with partners — including City agencies, NYC Community Recovery Directors, NYC Distribution and Restoration Centers, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), City-contracted nonprofits, local elected officials, and community leaders — to provide help when and where it was needed most.
Relief Supplies and Distribution
Total expended
$1,506,933 Plus in-kind donations valued at over $6 million
grantees direct purchasing Government partners include FEMA National Guard NYC Community Recovery Directors NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene NYC Distribution and Restoration Centers New York City Housing Authority NYC Office of Emergency Management Office of the Mayor
6
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS
Grant Summary
In coordination with the City’s 17 Distribution Centers and partners on the ground, the Mayor’s Fund purchased and disseminated urgently needed supplies including body warmers, baby supplies, warm clothing, and both fresh and nonperishable groceries through December. As part of the City’s emergency relief and recovery operations, the Mayor’s Fund addressed needs as they developed, and also purchased signage and other operational supplies to facilitate service delivery in the field. In one case, the Mayor’s Fund teamed up with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), which was overseeing a large-scale canvass operation to check on homebound residents and assess immediate needs. Canvassers ran up and down building stairs and to local pharmacies to fill residents’ prescriptions, with the co-payment (or full cost of the drug, in some cases) covered entirely by the Mayor’s Fund. In-kind donations valued at over $6 million, including furniture, home goods, and electronics, were also secured and directed to high need areas and displaced families in need.
1 Million + bottles of water
25,000 blankets 350,000
30,000 batteries
over 110,000
cleaning supplies body warmers 300,000 personal toiletries
300,000 bags of groceries
5M baby care supplies Quantities include purchased supplies and in-kind contributions.
Hot Meals
Total Expended
$1,607,402 grantees local food providers NY Food Truck Association
City Partners include NYC Community Recovery Directors NYC Human Resources Administration NYC Office of Emergency Management Office of the Mayor
Grant Summary
The Mayor’s Fund launched multiple partnerships to coordinate free hot food in the affected communities, resulting in the distribution of more than 333,000 hot meals, including Thanksgiving and New Year’s meals, and a partnership with the NY Food Truck Association that resulted in 278,000 meals alone, with as many as 32 trucks dispatched to strategic locations on any given day. Firsthand Accounts
“We handed out more hot meals to residents of the Rockaways yesterday. We are so inspired by the strength of this community. Thank you to Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and NYC Food Trucks #SandyUnites” Chinese Mirch truck via Facebook | November 19, 2012 | ROCKAWAYS @LaBellaTorte: “Tomorrow we will be in breezy point serving hot coffee tea hot chocolate and treats courtesy of the mayorsfund and nycfoodtrucks” La Bella Torte tweet | November 28, 2012 | breezy point “#StatenIsland residents displaced by #Sandy had @rickshawtruck dumplings thanks to @NYCMayorsOffice” NYC FOOD TRUCKS VIA PINTEREST | NOVEMBER 7, 2012 | STATEN ISLAND
“In all of my 16 years living in NYC, I have never seen such a powerful working model as this: private sector directly funding a small business to provide an invaluable service—hot meals—to the people in need.” Owner of the Green Pirate Food Truck on the NY Food Truck Association Blog | December 4, 2012
8
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS
333,000
Hot
Meals
Distributed + over 5,000 whole Thanksgiving turkeys and side dishes
Debris Removal
Total expended
$178,557 grantees
Grant Summary
Work crews were mobilized in targeted areas to enhance the ongoing efforts of the NYC Department of Sanitation and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. For four weeks the Mayor’s Fund commissioned five local clean-up teams with a combined 40 workers from the Doe Fund and the Center for Employment Opportunities, two local nonprofits that provide training and employment to New Yorkers.
Center for Employment Opportunities Doe Fund City Partners include NYC Community Recovery Directors NYC Department of Parks & Recreation NYC Department of Sanitation Office of the Mayor
Clean-up and debris removal after Hurricane Sandy. Credit: Shahar Azran & The Doe Fund
10
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS
Evacuee and Volunteer Transportation Total expended
$124,064
Grant Summary
Bus transportation was provided for residents in affected areas to emergency shelters and City Distribution Centers, as well as to bring recovery volunteers to their dispatch locations during the first month following the storm.
grantees various transportation providers City Partners include NYC Community Recovery Directors NYC Service Office of the MayoR
Mayor Bloomberg greets recovery volunteers on their way to a hurricane-affected neighborhood.
Daily Living Needs Total expended
$74,916 grantees
Grant Summary
To serve displaced individuals and families, the Mayor’s Fund rented 30 portable restroom units and 32 shower facilities placed at key locations, including the City’s Distribution Centers. The Fund further supplied shuttle transportation to make these facilities accessible to more residents.
direct providers City Partners include NYC Community Recovery Directors Office of the Mayor
EMERGENCY RESPONSE Projects
11
NYCService is coordinating volunteer projects to assist with Sandy recovery all summer long. Visit www.nyc.gov/service to find out more and sign up. For more information on how the Mayor’s Fund supports these service efforts, see page 32.
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Hurricane Sandy 6-Month Update
RECOVERY & REBUILDING PROJECTS In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, New York City is faced with an enormous and long-term recovery and rebuilding process. With the sustained participation of our crucial public and private partners, the Mayor’s Fund initiated and is supporting recovery and rebuilding projects that enhance the effectiveness of government services and meet targeted needs. As the city has only just begun its road to recovery, many of these projects are ongoing. In these instances, progress and key data are indicated as of the grantee’s most recent report.
Mold Treatment and Awareness
Total Grant Amount
$5,564,665 grantees CUNY Public Health at Hunter College Neighborhood Revitalization NYC University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ City Partners include NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of the Mayor
Program Background
Residents with properties of all sizes are facing challenges with mold treatment. While many individuals can use general FEMA funds to cover associated costs, the mold treatment and cleaning process is often an area of cost, concern, and confusion. The Mayor’s Fund collaborated with experts to launch free services citywide to address mold.
Mold Treatment Program: $5,326,554 The Mayor’s Fund is supporting a coordinated effort led by Neighborhood Revitalization NYC (an affiliate of Local Initiatives Support Corporation) to help provide mold treatment for up to 2,000 homes, working with skilled contractors and nonprofit organizations to complete work in each borough. Targeted outreach is being coordinated with government agencies, local nonprofits, community groups, and elected officials. The program is also supported by the American Red Cross and Robin Hood Relief Fund. key data
Step 1: Households who have completed intake
Step 2: Homes that have completed assessment
Step 3: Homes currently undergoing treatment
Step 4: Homes with mold treatment complete*
1,705
1,141
750
497
*Includes homes awaiting quality-control sign off.
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Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
“The workers did an excellent job, it’s amazing how clean it is now! I am so glad this mold program was put in place.” A.D. | April 19, 2013 | Breezy Point, Queens
“When you came, it took the weight off my shoulders.
I was paralyzed by mold and couldn’t move forward.
Since finishing the program, my new building supplies have been delivered and we are
going forward with rebuilding.” J.R. | April 17, 2013 | Arverne, Queens
mold treatment and awareness continued
Mold Awareness and Safe Practices Trainings: $238,111 The Mayor’s Fund is providing grants to CUNY Public Health at Hunter College and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (faculty experts in mold treatment) to deliver multi-lingual mold trainings in communities hardest hit by the storm. Participants at the trainings also receive free mold clean-up kits. Trainings are coordinated in partnership with the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit. key data
Free mold awareness and safe practices training.
Trainings
Participants
Mold kits distributed
54
1,107
1,153
“Thank you very much for sending your mold workshop to P.S. 277 in Gerritsen Beach Bklyn... It was very informative and well presented... Thank you also for the mold kits, they were appreciated.” School nurse | February 13, 2013 | Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn
16
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
Home Repairs and Rebuilding
Total Grant Amount
$10,750,000 grantees Center for Employment Opportunities Goodwill Industries Habitat for Humanity International Non-Traditional Employment for Women Strive New York City Partners include NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development Office of the Mayor
NYC Home Repair Consortium: $10,000,000 In response to the continuing need to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy, the NYC Home Repair Consortium was established to address unmet needs for non-structurally damaged rental and owner-occupied properties. The Consortium is also being supported by the American Red Cross and Robin Hood Relief Fund. Administered by Habitat for Humanity International and working closely with the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations, the Consortium is composed of nonprofit organizations selected to scale repair work and serve at least 600 homes.
Construction Jobs Program: $750,000 This grant is donor-specified The Mayor’s Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) estimates that rebuilding following Hurricane Sandy could generate as many as 10,000 construction jobs. The Mayor’s Fund, in coordination with CEO, is providing donor-directed grants to four nonprofit organizations to train and engage at least 400 residents of storm-affected communities for rebuilding-related employment. Efforts are focused on jobs rebuilding homes and businesses that would not interfere or overlap with larger union projects. Providers are those with experience in job training and placement: the Center for Employment Opportunities, Goodwill Industries, Non-Traditional Employment for Women, and Strive New York.
Volunteers and contractors assist with home rebuilding projects in Broad Channel, Queens.
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
17
Housing Advocacy and Resources
Total Grant Amount
$2,200,000 grantees Center for New York City Neighborhoods Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Grant Summary
Many homeowners living in neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy need sound guidance on how to rebuild both their homes and their finances as they face unprecedented loss and uncertainty. These grants provided to Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($1,200,000) and the Center for New York City Neighborhoods ($1,000,000) sponsor a network of housing outreach, counseling, rehab, and legal service providers to give homeowners access to expert help navigating the rebuilding and recovery process. Many homeowners have also been connected to CNYCN’s Neighborhood Recovery Fund, which provided affected homeowners with grants and interest-free loans of up to $5,000. Key Data
City Partners include NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development Office of the Mayor
Homeowners served 1,021 Services provided include:
Assistance with Repair Loan/Grant Application 30%
Challenge to Federal Funds Denial
Assistance with Federal Funds Application
Assistance with Homeowner’s Insurance Application
Other legal aid
26%
12%
10%
22%
Firsthand Account
Unlike many people, Ms. H in South Brooklyn had flood insurance, which was ready to pay for her losses. But she also had a home mortgage, and that’s where things got complicated. Since a mortgage company has an interest in the mortgaged property, both parties have to co-sign the insurance check in order to access the money. And Ms. H’s mortgage company was unwilling to release the funds to her despite her repeated efforts. Meanwhile, Ms. H borrowed money to do some repairs, until eventually that ran out too. Finally Ms. H connected with South Brooklyn Legal Services (which received a Mayor’s Fund grant through CNYCN), which provided expert financial counseling and legal assistance. It turned out that Ms. H wasn’t the only one facing this problem. Ms. H’s counselor was able to help, and just recently succeeded in getting $50,000 released to her, which she will use to complete her much-delayed repairs. Center for New York City Neighborhoods grant report | April 2013 | Red Hook, Brooklyn
18
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
Carmine and Yvonne are receiving free legal and
financial
counseling to assist with recovering from damage to their home.
Carmine and Yvonne sustained over $125,000 in damage to their home in Broad Channel, Queens during Hurricane Sandy. After receiving limited proceeds from insurance and FEMA, they have been unable to complete the repairs to their home, and are living in a mobile unit parked on their property. In addition, Carmine got injured on the job immediately after the storm. Queens Legal Services (QLS) has been helping them thanks to a contract with CNYCN funded by the Mayor’s Fund. QLS also helped Carmine and Yvonne apply for and receive a $5,000 grant from the Neighborhood Recovery Fund to help pay for roof repairs, which will allow them to continue rebuilding. Photo Credit: THEY BKLYN
Nonprofit and Community Recovery Nonprofit Recovery Loans and Grants: $10,000,000
Total Grant Amount
$12,903,652 grantees Brooklyn Public Library Catholic Charities Fund for the City of New York Good Shepherd Services Human Services Council Lawyers Alliance of New York Met Council on Jewish Poverty New York Foundation for the Arts New York Public Library Queens Library and various donor-Specified nonprofits City Partners include NYC Department of Cultural Affairs NYC Law Department Office of the Mayor
New York City relies on nonprofit organizations to provide a broad range of essential services to its diverse communities. After Hurricane Sandy that need was more urgent— even as many nonprofits were struggling to recover from the storm themselves. The Mayor’s Fund brought together philanthropic partners to launch a bridge loan and grant program (totaling $26 million). Administered by the Fund for the City of New York, the program provides assistance to organizations, on a rolling basis, that suffered the most severe losses and/or operate in the most affected areas. key data Total funds awarded (loans & grants): $13,005,900
Loans approved
Loan funds awarded
Grants approved
Grant funds awarded
48
$9,025,900
44
$3,980,000
Note: Mayor’s Fund provided $10 million for this $26 million program. Firsthand Accounts
“We’re a small organization with a lean operating budget. The damage Sandy caused was so extensive, and the cost of the cleanup and repair so high, we never could have begun it without the Nonprofit Recovery Loan and Grant… Having the money up front meant that we could pay our contractors to get our grounds cleared.” Jeffrey Manzer, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden | New Brighton, Staten Island “We couldn’t have hoped to be this far along without the help of the…NYC Nonprofit Recovery Loan. It has allowed us to breathe a little bit, to move things along faster, to pay our contractors.” Gerard McCaffery, MercyFirst President & CEO | Far Rockaway, Queens @PortSideNewYork: “@NYCMayorsFund thx for aid to #nonprofits hit by #Sandy!!!” PortSide NewYork tweet | March 30, 2013 | RED HOOK, Brooklyn
20
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
92 loans + grants
worth over
$13,000,000 distributed by the Fund for the City of New York
to help nonprofits continue their work.
“Flooding from Sandy caused heavy damage at our Center, with the Art and Cultural level and mechanical rooms flooded with nearly 20 feet of water…This loan and grant will allow us to begin work on the Arts and Culture level so that we can offer programs in the studios and classrooms sometime this summer. The [support] could not be more timely.” Bob Townley, Executive Director, Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center
56,654 Public Library collection items
repaired
or replaced
Damage to the Coney Island Library. Courtesy Brooklyn Public Library
Nonprofit and Community Recovery continued
Public Library Support: $550,000 “We are so grateful that the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will help Queens Library restock the empty shelves and provide the critical information that will help the community rebuild.” Thomas W. Galante, president and CEO, Queens Library | March 29, 2013
All three City library systems were impacted by the hurricane, including hundreds of thousands of lost books, destroyed critical equipment and several facilities that sustained major physical damage. These grants are supporting: • Brooklyn Public Library ($250,000): Five branches were damaged and two remain closed for repair ($1.09 million in loss of books/collections; $1.54 million in other damages). Materials purchased using the grant are already serving libraries in Red Hook, Sheepshead Bay and Gravesend. • Queens Library ($250,000): Five branches located in the Rockaways were damaged and three remain closed for repair ($2.2 million in loss of books/ collections; $7 million in other damages). • New York Public Library — Staten Island ($50,000): Circulating resources from their Staten Island patron base were “washed away” by the storm ($34,463 in loss of books/collections; $318,264 in other damages). Materials purchased using the grant are serving library branches in Dongan Hills, Great Kills, Huguenot Park, West New Brighton, New Dorp, Port Richmond, Richmondtown, South Beach, Saint George and Todt Hill-Westerleigh. Firsthand Accounts
“The importance of public libraries in New York City was made very clear after Sandy, when thousands of residents packed local branches in search of power, internet access, information, and community support… We are deeply grateful to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City for key financial support that allowed us to restore collections lost or damaged by Sandy in Staten Island, and continue our mission to enrich the communities we serve.” Tony Marx, President, New York Public Library | April 2013 @QueensLibrary: “Thank you to @NYCMayorsFund for a $250,000 grant to help replace some of the more than 140,000 #Sandy damaged books & library materials.” Queens Library tweet | March 29, 2013
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
23
Nonprofit and Community Recovery continued
Nonprofit and Citywide Coordinators: $400,000
Meeting of Coney Island relief organizations. Courtesy Met Council
In order to enhance the combined impact of nonprofits working on recovery efforts and avoid overlapping efforts, four grants of $100,000 each (to Catholic Charities, Met Council, Good Shepherd Services, Human Services Council) are supporting three borough-specific and one citywide coordinator (the latter funded through a grant from UJA-Federation of New York). An additional position at SCO Family of Services was made possible by the Robin Hood Relief Fund. These individuals are helping nonprofits working in affected areas to coordinate hurricane recovery services with each other and the City. These efforts arose out of the coordinating services provided by the City’s Restoration Centers and Borough Community Recovery Directors. Firsthand Account
HSC is providing essential coordination among the many nonprofit agencies and community groups striving to assist those impacted by the storm. Our coordinator links these groups together and with government services to ensure that needs are met, best practices are utilized, and that the long-term needs are not forgotten. This could not have been undertaken without the vision and financial support of the Mayor’s Fund. Michael Stoller, Executive Director, Human Services Council | April 2013
Working Artist Recovery Micro-Grants: $430,000 Many of New York’s working artists had their livelihoods disrupted by Hurricane Sandy when the storm damaged or destroyed critical equipment and irreplaceable work. This New York Foundation for the Arts program provides grants of up to $5,000 to income-eligible artists who were affected by the storm. Examples of grantees include: musicians whose instruments and studios were ruined by the storm, visual artists who lost critically needed equipment, and artists of all types who lost teaching facilities or equipment.
24
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
Nonprofit and Community Recovery continued
Nonprofit Legal Assistance: $46,000 In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Lawyers Alliance of New York (LANY) revived its Disaster Relief initiative to represent and provide legal information to New York nonprofits both impacted by the storm and responding to the storm. The City and 311 have been referring nonprofits to LANY since the storm hit, and LANY continues to assist with legal questions relating to the Nonprofit Recovery Loan and Grant Program. Key Data
One of the City’s 17 Restoration Centers.
Nonprofits connected to phone counsel
Nonprofits advised at neighborhood clinics
Nonprofits assisted with legal casework
74
25
10
Firsthand Account
LANY assisted Met Council, which is coordinating nonprofit organizations responding to the devastation of the hurricane on Coney Island. Met Council entered into a Temporary License Agreement to use and occupy a building rent-free for a period of six months commencing January 2013. The organization agreed to operate the site as a warehouse for purposes of housing and distributing disaster relief supplies. LANY drafted a memorandum of understanding between Met Council and Coney Rises (an Occupy Sandy program) with regard to the operation of the warehouse and advised Met Council on related issues. LANY Grant report | April 2013 | Coney Island, Brooklyn
“The Mayor’s Fund [is supporting] a community organizer who has been able to pull together the various constituencies who live in Red Hook, the folks in public housing, the undocumented, small business owners and the new and old homesteaders.” Sr. Paulette LoMonaco, Good Shepherd services | April 26, 2013 | Red Hook, brooklyn
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
25
Nonprofit and Community Recovery continued
Donor-Specified Grants: $1,477,652 Grants were made to the following nonprofit organizations for relief efforts as directed by donors: Battery Conservancy To support restoration efforts in the Battery, including park grounds and the Conservancy offices. Central Park Conservancy For restoration efforts in Central Park, including care for trees, debris removal, and park repairs. FDNY Foundation To assist firefighters whose homes were severely affected by Hurricane Sandy. Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services To fund supplies for dislocated individuals and families. New Jersey Relief Fund For relief efforts in New Jersey.
New York Says Thank You To provide home repairs for first responders affected by Hurricane Sandy. St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children To purchase medical relief supplies and equipment for disabled children in hurricane-affected communities. United Ways of Connecticut and Long Island For relief efforts in Connecticut and Long Island. Mayor’s Fund To ensure that no administrative fees are retained from contributions, donor-specified funds covered the cost of credit card transaction fees and additional staffing needs.
Firsthand Account
“One of the donor-directed grants, to St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, served a 19-year-old girl with cerebral palsy in Broad Channel. She and her family evacuated their recently renovated home during Sandy only to return to a shell of a house. The entire first floor, including the family’s dining room that had previously been modified into an accessible bedroom for the young lady, was destroyed. St. Mary’s is providing a new hospital bed, a communication device, and a track system to help lift her in and out of bed.” St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children via grant report | January 24, 2013 | Broad Channel, Queens
26
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
Immigrant Community Outreach and Services Total Grant Amount
$734,000 grantees Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies New York Legal Assistance Group
Immigrant Community Outreach: $384,000 New York City’s immigrant communities in hurricane-affected areas are faced with a unique set of challenges. A grant was made to the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA) to support Emergency Outreach Workers in immigrant communities affected by the hurricane. The goal was to reach 6,000 immigrant and limited English proficient households with immediate needs, provide information about relevant resources and services, and assess case management needs (e.g., health, housing, employment). FPWA is administering the program with community providers, in coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. Key data
Households surveyed
Households identified as eligible for FEMA application/appeal
6,605
1,100
City Partners include NYC Law Department Office of the Mayor
Firsthand Accounts
“One particular person we called today - was in tears. He is so afraid to get any help even though he does have a greencard. He said ‘I felt it would jeopardize my stay here.’ We did explain to him that he is eligible for services.” Outreach Worker, FPWA grant report | March 4, 2013 “In an initiative that responds to requests by Staten Island advocacy groups, outreach teams comprising workers from community-based organizations will be going into the neighborhoods hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy and assessing the recovery needs of immigrants in advance of the January 28 deadline for application to FEMA.” Staten Island Advance, “Mayor’s Office Reaching Out to Staten Island Immigrants Impacted by Hurricane Sandy” | January 11, 2013
Legal Services for Sandy-Affected Families: $350,000 A grant was made to the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) to conduct outreach and civil legal services. The majority of clients are referred from the targeted outreach effort to immigrant families (through the grant to FPWA), howerver NYLAG’s services are available to any New Yorker in need.
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
27
Emergency Food Provider Support Total Grant Amount
$1,808,250 grantees City Harvest Food Bank For New York City City Partners include NYC Human Resources Administration Office of the Mayor
Grant Summary
Hurricane Sandy left many neighborhoods with limited or reduced access to supermarkets and grocery stores, and the emergency food network of soup kitchens and food pantries across the city became overwhelmed with an influx of new clients. Grants to City Harvest ($265,000) and Food Bank For New York City ($1,543,250) are complementing support from the American Red Cross by bolstering the food delivery network to provide approximately 4,000,000 meals over two months serving approximately 450,000 people. A mini-grant program administered by Food Bank is also helping additional emergency food providers to increase their capacity. These efforts, in partnership with the NYC Food Policy Coordinator, are supplementing the NYC Human Resources Administration’s ongoing Emergency Food Assistance Program. Key Data Food Bank For New York City
Grants approved
Funds awarded
Food distributed
34
$750,000
2.8M pounds (2.3M meals)
Note: Mayor’s Fund grant for distribution support; food funded by the Red Cross. City Harvest
28
Grants approved
Grant funds expended
9
$216,725
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
Firsthand Account
“In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the St. John’s Bread and Life’s (JBL) Mobile Food Pantry vehicle suffered from salt water damage. Using limited funds, JBL repaired the vehicle and began a five day a week hot meal and Mobile Food Pantry distribution to the Rockaways and Coney Island as well as special distributions to Staten Island, Howard Beach and Far Rockaway during Thanksgiving and the holidays. With the support provided from the Mayor’s Fund and City Harvest, JBL will be able to recover a portion of the costs associated with repair of the vehicle and continue to serve residents in need through their Mobile Food Pantry.” City Harvest grant report | march 1, 2013
Soup kitchens and food pantries saw an influx of new clients after Hurricane Sandy. Credit: Melanie Dunea / CPi
“Dominique Jones [Food Bank For New York City] said the grant money from the Mayor’s Fund is critical to organizations that provide emergency food assistance.” Queens Times Ledger, “Rockaways Still In Need of Food Aid After Storm” | April 2, 2013
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
29
Small Business Assistance
Total Grant Amount
$6,285,000 grantees NY Business Assistance Corporation NY Business Development Corporation City Partners include NYC Department of Small Business Services NYC Economic Development Corporation Office of the Mayor
Program Background
Small businesses play an essential role in the recovery of neighborhoods hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy, providing residents with access to food, medication, and other essential daily living needs. To support this recovery, the Mayor’s Fund helped launch the following programs. key data
Businesses assisted
Funds awarded
Employees impacted
551
$4,591,590
4,821
Small Business Matching Grant Program: $5,000,000 Funds were provided to the New York Business Development Corporation for a Small Business Matching Grant Program providing grants up to $10,000 to businesses that suffered the most severe losses and also received loans through the City’s Emergency Loan Program.
Small Business Assistance Grant Program: $1,250,000 The Mayor’s Fund allocated an additional grant to the New York City Business Assistance Corporation for micro-grants ($1,000-$10,000), for small businesses that may not qualify for the City’s Emergency Loan Program to repair and replace items that were lost.
Business Recovery Coordination: $35,000 Funding was provided for a Business Recovery Coordinator to support hurricane recovery assistance, including coordination of outreach at Business Solutions Centers among government agencies, local organizations and other key stakeholders.
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Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
“There’s only so much of my own savings I could put into the business. The loan and grant were lifelines.” Rovshan Danilov, Arbuz Cafe | Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
firsthand accounts
“Early in January, after a $200,000 top-to-bottom renovation, Arbuz [cafe in Sheepshead Bay] opened—fully restored and operational, thanks to a $25,000 emergency loan from the city fund, a $10,000 matching grant [funded by the Mayor’s Fund] and the personal savings of Mr. Danilov.” Crain’s New York Business, “Programs Offer Lifelines After Sandy” | February 8, 2013 Tax season is a busy time for any accountant, but for one Coney Island man whose firm was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, this year is not quite like any other. Citywide Income Tax Services emerged from the storm with five feet of flooding, faced with having to replace all the computers, furniture, walls and carpeting. For 40 days, owner Dom Concilio did double-duty helping his clients and managing his business’s own recovery. The work paid off: by the first week in January, just in time for tax season, his business was fully operational again. He received a big assist from the City, which quickly found him eligible for a Small Business Emergency Loan and Matching Grant after just a seven-day turnaround (grant funded by the Mayor’s Fund). NYC Department of Small Business Services grant report | March 2013 | Coney Island, Brooklyn Irina Kurdiani is the owner of Acqua, an Italian restaurant open since 2005 in the South Street Seaport. During the hurricane, Acqua was flooded with five feet of water and lost equipment (refrigerators, computers, ice machines, pasta makers) and inventory. The restaurant’s wooden floors and dry walls were also destroyed. She was approved for $25,000 loan and $10,000 matching grant. By December 10, Acqua was open for service. NYC Department of Small Business Services grant report | March 2013 | South Street Seaport, Manhattan Top to bottom: Mayor Bloomberg visits a small business in Red Hook; flooding in the South Street Seaport; Surfside Bagels in the Rockaways receiving a recovery grant.
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
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Service Projects
Volunteer Service Projects: $472,508
Total Grant Amount
$1,390,008 grantees direct purchasing additional grantees pending City Partners include NYC Department of Probation NYC Service Office of the Mayor
Volunteers have played an essential role in Hurricane Sandy recovery. Complementing heroic community efforts across the city, NYC Service brought together volunteer relief organizations to maximize productivity and efficiency of citywide efforts, and has also directly led hundreds of volunteer projects. The Mayor’s Fund is providing supplies and other needs for NYC Service’s hurricane relief efforts, which included the MLK Day of Service (which engaged 547 volunteers at 11 sites), and upcoming weekend Sandy Service projects in coordination with City agencies (including the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, and the New York City Housing Authority), and the Citizens Committee for NYC “Love Your Block” program. Key data
Volunteers engaged
Service projects completed
12,555
377
Youth Summer Restoration Assistance Program: $917,500 Many communities affected by Hurricane Sandy remain in need of significant cleanup and repairs. The NYC Summer Restoration Assistance Program (YouthWRAP) will hire and train up to 500 youth on probation (ages 14-18) to help with recovery efforts, while also providing an opportunity to build life and career readiness skills. Projects include clean-ups for parks, beaches and nonprofits.
“Whether distributing food and supplies, mucking out homes, or cleaning the City’s parks and beaches, volunteers provide essential services to those impacted by the storm and play a vital role in recovery efforts.” Diahann Billings-Burford, Chief Service Officer, NYC Service
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Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
12,555 Volunteers
377 projects
completed 3,000,000 meals distributed including 26,500 Thanksgiving meals at 30 sites
4,324 SQ FT of wall painted
800,000 23,767 bags bottles of water distributed
of debris and leaves cleared
Public School Student Support
Total Grant Amount
$2,065,000 grantee The Fund for Public Schools City Partners include
Program Background
As a result of the hurricane, nearly 70,000 public school students were displaced or relocated from their schools, along with easy access to computers and the internet. The result has been unanticipated learning gaps. Federal relief funding is available to support structural repairs and lost or damaged items. Private dollars from the Mayor’s Fund are being leveraged to support services that are inelegible for federal funding, but are necessary to address Hurricane Sandy’s impact on students’ wellbeing and academic progress. These grants to the NYC Department of Education are administered by The Fund for Public Schools.
NYC Department of Education
Mentoring and Counseling: $1,350,000 As the long-term impact of the storm’s effect on students has emerged, it is apparent that students need non-academic support. Funds are assisting schools in helping students regain a sense of normalcy and stability through mentoring, counseling, and social services at 30 impacted schools serving more than 16,000 students.
Tutoring and After School Services: $715,000 Principals in storm-damaged communities sought opportunities for their students to make up lost instructional time and receive additional academic support from teachers. This grant through the NYC Department of Education’s iZone program will use technology and afterschool support to meet these needs, which include providing student access to online Regents exam preparation programs, tutoring services and coursework, math and literacy programs, and afterschool time with teachers. Laptops and calculators have also been provided to schools that lacked equipment while they were removed from their school buildings or experienced losses during the storm. The grant is supporting 13 impacted schools serving more than 13,000 students.
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Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
Firsthand Accounts
Courtesy NYC Department of Education
P.S. 53 serves students with significant disabilities by providing academic and functional skill development as well as social, emotional, and behavioral supports to prepare them for success. Not only was one of the school’s locations severely impacted by the storm, but many of the students and staff live in homes that were damaged or destroyed. To help minimize the storm’s disruptive effect, the school is focused on making sure these students don’t fall behind on their learning. P.S. 53 is receiving support through a grant from the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to purchase supplies such as customized software and calculators designed to assist learners with special needs. With these resources, teachers can better support students’ mastery of math skills, provide differentiated instruction, and help students learn at their own pace. P.S. 53 via Fund for Public Schools grant report | Brooklyn Scholars’ Academy in Far Rockaway received a laptop cart to use while they were temporarily relocated to another school after the school building was damaged. The Assistant Principal reported that these devices were invaluable in this transition and were used during every period of the day throughout their relocation. Scholars’ Academy has returned to their building, but students are still struggling to make up for lost instructional time. To help ensure they don’t miss a beat in meeting their academic goals, the funding provided through this grant will also support afterschool and Saturday instructional sessions to help students catch up. Scholars’ Academy will also utilize online courses to help some of their students earn credits they were not able to complete because of storm-related absences. Scholars Academy via Fund for Public Schools grant report | Far Rockaway, Queens
“The Department of Education announced plans today to roll out a series of new programs that will provide long-term support for students in the 39 schools hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Resources for the new programs will come from the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.” Gotham Schools, “Four Months After Sandy, Education Department Waits On FEMA” | february 26, 2013
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
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Childcare Center Repairs
Total Grant Amount
$130,000 grantee direct purchasing on behalf of childcare centers
Grant Summary
The needs of three childcare centers were identified that were closed or partially opened in the Rockaways, Coney Island and Sheepshead Bay, and unable to apply for many FEMA grant opportunities. Funds have expedited heating repairs and provided supplies to furnish classrooms so that centers can fully re-open and serve families in affected areas. Key datA
Children impacted City Partners include NYC Administration for Children’s Services
393 Firsthand Account
“Seeing the bright classrooms at Goldie Maple and the wonderful materials your organization supplied brought smiles to so many faces. We…took a sigh of relief knowing that our precious babies and our staff would not be exposed to materials that had been submerged in contaminated water… We are so appreciative of the fact that the Mayor’s Fund noticed our tremendous need and considered the children important enough to help.” Board President, Blanche Community Progress Day Care Center | April 2013 | Far Rockaway, Queens
“When Blanche was closed due to Sandy, I went through many difficulties, because I did not have a place to put my children. Sometimes I could not go to work, I could not go to school, and I was so sad … Thank you and God bless you.” Parent, Blanche Community Progress Day Care Center | Far Rockaway, Queens
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Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
Parks and Waterfront Restoration
Total Grant Amount
$5,050,000 grantees City Parks Foundation New York Restoration Project City Partners include NYC Department of Parks & Recreation New York City Housing Authority
Program Background
The City’s natural areas experienced some of the greatest storm damage, including devastated plant life, eroded landscapes, and washed-away infrastructure. Federal and state relief funding are helping to repair damage to parks, beaches, buildings, and other facilities. Private dollars from the Mayor’s Fund will be leveraged to support restoration, preservation and critical resiliency work in other natural areas, including the wetlands and salt marshes that help to protect the City’s coastal communities throughout the five boroughs in the event of future storms.
Natural Areas Conservancy: $1,900,000 This grant is donor-specified The Department of Parks & Recreation will help restore natural areas through the Natural Areas Conservancy. Work will include a citywide ecological assessment, evaluation and restoration of wetlands, and production of native plants for storm-damaged natural areas.
Conservation Corps: $3,000,000 This grant is donor-specified In partnership with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, the Mayor’s Fund is supporting the launch of a new Conservation Corps program in the summer of 2013. Parks will recruit and train a diverse group of 30 young adults who will focus on Sandy restoration efforts, support the care and maintenance of the City’s trees, and take on projects related to Sandy restoration and resiliency of natural areas.
NYCHA Open Spaces: $150,000 Damage to the Coney Island waterfront.
A grant to New York Restoration Project will help to re-plant trees and restore open spaces on New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties that were damaged by the hurricane.
Recovery & Rebuilding Projects
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MAYOR’S FUND TO ADVANCE NEW YORK CITY The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that facilitates innovative public-private partnerships. In coordination with City agencies and offices, the Mayor’s Fund is committed to supporting emerging needs and continuous development, while simultaneously evaluating the efficacy and merit of programs for future private and public funding.
Board of Directors Patricia E. Harris, Chair Nanette Smith, Secretary Anthony Crowell John Feinblatt Dennis M. Walcott
Board of Advisors Rob Speyer, Chair Bruce Bendell Leon D. Black Ronald E. Blaylock Kevin Burke John S. Chalsty Diane M. Coffey Anita Contini Cheryl Cohen Effron Victor Ganzi Martin Geller Joel A. Getz Robert Wood Johnson IV Deborah Krulewitch Kenneth Langone Gerald Levin Carol Sutton Lewis Ellen Liman
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Officers Mary McCormick S. Christopher Meigher Nancy Missett Thomas S. Murphy Laura Pomerantz Bruce Ratner Keith Reinhard E. John Rosenwald, Jr. Laura Ross Susan Rotenstreich Steven Rubenstein William Rudin Mary Sansone Stanley Shuman John Simons Liz Smith Daisy Soros Jerry Speyer Stuart Match Suna Keith Thomas Jonathan M. Tisch Daniel R. Tishman George Walker Harvey Weinstein Vaughn Williams Frederick Wilpon Zulema Wiscovitch
Hurricane Sandy 6-Month Update
Megan Sheekey, President Vicki Metzger, Treasurer
Sandy Recovery Team Felice Axelrod Peter Bertuglia Cheryl Corwin Nina Freedman Jenny Sharfstein Kane Anthony Perez Diana Petty Adam Riff Cindy Tom
Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City 253 Broadway, 8th Floor New York, NY 10007 212.788.7794 www.nyc.gov/fund Mayorsfundtoadvancenyc @NYCMayorsFund
For general NYC information and Hurricane Sandy recovery resources go to: www.nyc.gov or call 311
Designed by Bureau Blank. Design of this report provided in-kind, with printing supported by Tishman Speyer. 20% Total Recycled Fiber
Hurricane Sandy 6-Month Update
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